Methods of treating depression and other related diseases

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for treating depression, anxiety, and other related diseases by administering a peptide NMDAR partial agonist.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for treating a patient suffering from major depressive disorder, comprising administering an effective amount of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 where the peptide has an amide modification with having the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to said patient. 
     
     
       2. A method as in  claim 1  wherein the effective amount is about 0.01 mg/kg to about 1000 mg/kg per day. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said patient is relieved of at least one symptom within about 1 hour to about 12 hours after said administration. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is the acetate salt. 
     
     
       5. The method as in  claim 2  wherein the effective amount is about 1 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg. 
     
     
       6. A method of treating refractory depression in a treatment-resistant patient in need thereof, comprising administering an effective amount of a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 where the peptide has an amide modification with the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to said patient, whereby said patient is relieved of at least one symptom within about 14 days. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the treatment-resistant patient is identified as one who has been treated with at least two types of antidepressant treatments prior to administration of the peptide. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the treatment-resistant patient is identified as one who is unwilling or unable to tolerate a side effect of at least one type of antidepressant treatment.